Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Who Want a Cozy Winter

It was a bit of a chilly day at Orphans of the Storm®, but these pooches didn’t mind! They were happy to be out and about. But I’m sure they would all be even happier to have a home to call their own this winter, where they can spend plenty of time snuggling with their new families.

Yolanda the four-year-old Great Pyrenees mix is a big (and I do mean big) sweetheart. Everybody we saw while we were out said, “Wow, that’s a big dog!” and Yolanda happily wagged her tail at the attention. She can pull a bit when she’s walking on the leash, but that’s just because her steps are so much longer! Yolanda is a playful pooch who enjoyed romping around the off-leash run and using the bushes to scratch that hard-to-reach spot on her back.

Yolanda being a friendly girl

Yolanda is under the impression that she can be a lapdog. She just loves to snuggle. Once she had spent her initial burst of energy, she came trotting over to where I was kneeling, rested her big head on my shoulder, and tried her best to get all of her paws into my lap. When she realized that arrangement wasn’t going to work, she just gave me a couple of doggy kisses and settled for a nice scratch behind the ears. Yolanda is sure to catch your attention as you walk through the shelter, so take some time to get to know her and see what a wonderful family companion she can be!

Yolanda using the bush as a back-scratcher

Buck the four-year-old Labrador Retriever mix is quite the cutie. He was very excited when he realized it was his turn to go for a walk, and it turns out that he is a great walking buddy! He stayed pretty close to me and didn’t pull much at all. Buck always has a sweet expression on his face that just makes you want to give him a big hug. He also has cute white ‘socks’ on all four of his paws!

Buck’s sweet face

Buck definitely seems like a people-dog. Although he was happy to run around the off-leash run, if I ever reached out to pet him, he would stop moving and stay by my side. Buck is also a leaner, so while I was petting him, he would keep leaning onto me. Buck is at an ideal age to join a new family–he’s old enough to be well out of his puppy phase, but plenty young enough to have lots of fun exploring new things and going on nice walks. Come by the shelter soon to see if Buck is the pooch for you!

Buck enjoying the outdoors

Wilder the one-year-old Hound/Labrador Retriever mix is definitely still a puppy, in pretty much every sense. He has big paws that he doesn’t quite know what to do with (watching him run can be really entertaining), he has lots of enthusiasm for just about everything, and he absolutely loves attention. Wilder will certainly bring a smile to your face with all of his puppy antics. For example, he started to take a drink from one of the water bowls in the off-leash run, but decided that wasn’t enough for him. So he started splashing around with his front paws and ended up tipping one of the bowls over. So silly!

Wilder before he tipped over the water bowl

Wilder is in the process of learning to come when called, and when he does so, he’ll basically crash right into you with all of his enthusiasm and then hang out in your lap for a moment while receiving praise and petting. He’s a smart boy who will be eager to learn new tricks and show off his skills. Wilder is currently sharing his kennel with Myra (such a sweetie!), so he could go to a home with or without another dog. If you’re looking for a fun young dog to bring into your home, be sure to say hello to Wilder!

Here comes Wilder!

Cara the ten-year-old Beagle mix is just adorable. Her face has gotten a little gray with age, and she has a bit of a round tummy and a constantly wagging tail. She’s very easy to walk (though, being a Beagle, she’d sometimes prefer to follow her nose than follow the person at the other end of the leash) and seems pretty happy-go-lucky. Cara would prefer to be the only dog in her new home, and would probably do best in a low-key adult home so she can enjoy her golden years in a relaxing environment.

Cara could be your next best buddy!

Cara is another pooch who thinks she’s a lapdog, but in her case, she actually fits! When I first knelt down next to her, she put her front paws on my legs and gave me a few doggy kisses. Later on our walk, I sat down in the grass and she settled down right next to me, again putting her front paws in my lap. Cara isn’t asking for much–she doesn’t need too much exercise, and she’s happy to just be a companion. If you’re looking for a calmer, older pooch who can keep you warm this winter, come in soon to meet Cara!